Nearly one third of Hunterdon County households struggling to make ends meet, according to new report

Nearly one third of all families in Hunterdon County are struggling to make ends meet, according to a report released by United Way of North Jersey today.

The report tracks the number of ALICE, “Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed,” households that earn more than the official U.S. poverty level, but less than the basic cost of living.

According to the report:

In Hunterdon County, 12,607 households, or 27 percent are struggling, with 1,905 households, 4 percent, living below the U.S. poverty line and 10,702 households, 23 percent, falling into the category of ALICE.

It takes $71,751 for a family of two adults, an infant and a toddler to afford the basics - more than triple the U.S. poverty rate of $23,392. The Household Survival Budget for a single adult is $30,427, compared to the U.S. poverty rate of $11,344.

An Economic Viability Index included in the report evaluates the income opportunities, affordability and support available to assist ALICE households in each county. According to this new measure, Hunterdon County scored a 59 on a scale of 1 to 100, where 1 is worst and 100 is best. Hunterdon County's score dropped 14 percent from 2007, reflecting the hardship caused by the Great Recession. With this score, Hunterdon County ranked 2 out of the 21 New Jersey counties in 2010, where 1 is the best and 21 is worst.

State-wide, there are 1.1 million households unable to afford the state’s cost of living, with conditions across every county worsening during the Great Recession.

The study aims to place a spotlight on this large population of residents who work at low-paying jobs, have little or no savings, and are “one emergency from falling into poverty.”

According to United Way, it is the most comprehensive depiction to date of financial need in the state, using the latest data from a variety of sources, including the U.S. Census.

“For too long, the true picture of need in our region and state has been understated and obscured by misleading averages and outdated poverty statistics,” said United Way of Northern New Jersey CEO John Franklin. “The ALICE Study accurately portrays the scope of need in our state, revealing that despite working hard, many are unable to afford basic necessities.”